Technology is and will continue to be a driving force in the United States economy. The U.S. Department of Labor (2003) projects computer and data processing services to be the fastest growing segment of the economy between the years 2000-2010. A study by the National Association of Manufacturers (2001) indicates that more than 80 percent of manufacturers report a shortage in qualified candidates despite the recession and recent layoffs. Innovative education/business partnerships, such as the Technical Knowledge through Education (Tech-KNOW-Ed) initiative developed by Richland College, Dallas County Community College District, and Texas Instruments, offer a viable solution to the shortage in skilled workers. Tech-KNOW-Ed, which was developed to meet the growing need for skilled technicians in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, serves as a model that other colleges could replicate for other programs.